[jdweaze]

Up until yesterday, I was dead set on Neptune Beach, but I have recently decided to do some more thorough research on a few other beach towns, Jupiter and Charleston. I'll list what I have come up with so far, I have WAY more research for JAX, just need some help filling in the blanks for the other 2.

Neptune has:
Bikram Yoga
Affordable housing
Good schools
Farmer's Markets
Lots of outdoor activities
Laid Back beach
Lots of little eateries
Big city close by for jobs
Lots of bike riders

Jupiter has:
Bikram Yoga

Charleston SC has:
Trader Joes
Bikram Yoga


Beyond that, I don't know much yet about the other 2.


I really want a laid back, active beach community. Health conscious people, farmer's/open air markets, friendly, with good schools. Any input?

[kyle19125]

I think you're on track with Neptune Beach. Jupiter you'll probably find a bit too Cougartown-ish and Charleston while nice will be less laidback due to the touristy aspect and not as health-conscious, not to mention a much smaller metro area with less to do overall. FYI, Jacksonville has a Whole Foods Market and is no doubt in line for a Trader Joe's as the company has started to open stores in Florida. Jacksonville would certainly make sense from a distribution standpoint for the company given it's proximity to current stores in GA and SC.

[jdweaze]

Originally Posted by kyle19125

I think you're on track with Neptune Beach. Jupiter you'll probably find a bit too Cougartown-ish and Charleston while nice will be less laidback due to the touristy aspect and not as health-conscious, not to mention a much smaller metro area with less to do overall. FYI, Jacksonville has a Whole Foods Market and is no doubt in line for a Trader Joe's as the company has started to open stores in Florida. Jacksonville would certainly make sense from a distribution standpoint for the company given it's proximity to current stores in GA and SC.

I definitely agree with the Trader Joes thing... it would make the most sense, they have one in Naples and i think in St Pete's... Jacksonville would make the most sense. It doesn't matter how much research I do, I keep getting pointed back towards jacksonville. Seems to have the most of what I am looking for in a beach community... except a TJs! I saw that there was a whole foods, but there are also some farmer's markets on the beach that look interesting. Where do you live? (I think I definitely want to stay away from Cougartown haha) And another question, not that I am looking right now, but I would like the option. Is everyone in JAX married? Or is there a big 30s and single population, especially near the beaches area?

[kyle19125]

Originally Posted by jdweaze

I definitely agree with the Trader Joes thing... it would make the most sense, they have one in Naples and i think in St Pete's... Jacksonville would make the most sense. It doesn't matter how much research I do, I keep getting pointed back towards jacksonville. Seems to have the most of what I am looking for in a beach community... except a TJs! I saw that there was a whole foods, but there are also some farmer's markets on the beach that look interesting. Where do you live? (I think I definitely want to stay away from Cougartown haha) And another question, not that I am looking right now, but I would like the option. Is everyone in JAX married? Or is there a big 30s and single population, especially near the beaches area?

I live in the Orlando area (not by choice) and have extensively researched/visited Jacksonville as my "next place". No, I don't think everyone in Jacksonville is married (not by a long shot) as the demographics show an average age of 34 (by far the lowest of any major city in FL), 32% of the population being age 25 to 44, and 26% of all households as individuals within a population of 822,000.

Jacksonville, Florida - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[gypsychic]

Originally Posted by jdweaze

I definitely agree with the Trader Joes thing... it would make the most sense, they have one in Naples and i think in St Pete's... Jacksonville would make the most sense. It doesn't matter how much research I do, I keep getting pointed back towards jacksonville. Seems to have the most of what I am looking for in a beach community... except a TJs! I saw that there was a whole foods, but there are also some farmer's markets on the beach that look interesting. Where do you live? (I think I definitely want to stay away from Cougartown haha) And another question, not that I am looking right now, but I would like the option. Is everyone in JAX married? Or is there a big 30s and single population, especially near the beaches area?

Sarasota is building a TJ right now, not St. Pete. They are building a few stores in FL to start, I am guessing Tampa next in line, followed by Orlando and Jax - they go where Whole Foods are.

I don't have personal knowledge of Neptune, but based on the other choices and other comments I have to agree, especially with Kyle's comments on Jupiter and Charleston. And as mentioned, the Jax area is just so much larger if jobs are a priority. Convenient to get to a lot of other areas as well. So that is my .02 cents!

[jdweaze]

Well... I am glad that I ventured out to look at other cities... but I think I am feeling pretty good about my Neptune Beach decision... and you're right, it is Sarasota, my mistake :-). Wish they would hurry the heck up! There's already a whole foods in Jax!!

[allisonmh]

I lived in Neptune Beach for 7 years, so I am pretty familiar with the beaches area. Because of the Navy and influx of young professionals, the beaches are a really fun place to be and not everyone is married. Nightlife was great down there and has the laid back beach feel you want (going to bars and restaurants in flip flops is acceptable and the "norm". If you have any specific questions, feel free to e-mail me.

[jdweaze]

I just messaged you :-) Where do you live now? And why did you leave?

[allisonmh]

Jdweaze-we live in PA now but are moving back down south to Charleston,SC in the next few months. We left for my husband's job.